Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
CURRENT STATUS OF POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION ASSAYS IN CLINICAL RESEARCH OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION
AIDS Updates; 3(4):1-19 1990. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/91671323 Muul LM; Div. of AIDS, Natl. Inst. of Allergy and Infectious Diseases,; Bethesda, MD
Abstract:
Currently, HIV infection is confirmed by a series of immunologic assays designed to detect specific antibodies against the virus and viral proteins. Since diagnosis by serologic techniques depends on the formation of specific antibodies by infected persons, there is a variable period of time from infection until clinical detectability during which the individual is capable of transmitting the virus. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay provides a method of gene amplification for specific nucleotide sequences. PCR technology and its application in basic and clinical research on HIV are reviewed. Topics include basic principles of PCR for detection of HIV (sample preparation, primers, amplification of DNA, amplification of RNA, and false-negative and false-positive PCR reactions), clinical research applications of PCR in HIV infection (identification of tissues containing HIV DNA, detection of neurologic infection, individuals with indeterminate Western blots, diagnosis prior to seroconversion, testing of individuals exposed to HIV and partners of hemophiliacs, identification of HIV-infected infants, quantitation of viral load, and genetic variation), detection of other viruses and mixed infections (HIV-2, human T-cell leukemia viruses I and II, HIV-1 and human herpes virus-6, and HIV-1 and cytomegalovirus), standardization of PCR for detection of HIV, and modification of PCR and identification of new technologies. Clinical research using PCR technology has advanced the understanding of the pathogenesis of HIV infection. PCR has proven useful in estimating a period of time of 0-6 mo (median 2.1-2.4 mo) for silent infection with HIV prior to seroconversion, as well as in defining a subgroup of high-risk, infected individuals prior to seroconversion. PCR studies of sexual partners of HIV-infected hemophiliacs have provided further evidence for lack of casual transmission and for the relative difficulty of transmitting HIV compared to other sexually transmitted diseases. PCR detection of HIV infection in infants allows for prompt identification of those who may benefit from early treatment. Examination using PCR may lead to a better understanding of AIDS dementias and encephalopathies. PCR is being used extensively for examination of genetic variation of HIV, both within individual patients and among groups and populations of HIV-infected individuals. Despite its substantial contribution to clinical research, however, PCR technology is not ready for routine use in the clinical laboratory. (264 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*DIAGNOSIS/MICROBIOLOGY AIDS Serodiagnosis/METHODS Base Sequence Gene Amplification/GENETICS Human HIV/GENETICS/*ISOLATION & PURIF HIV-1/ISOLATION & PURIF HIV-2/ISOLATION & PURIF Molecular Sequence Data Polymerase Chain Reaction/*METHODS JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW 910930
M9190743
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
